“We have to make a decision sooner than later,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “We will close the competition soon enough. I will talk to Joe on the phone. … We will close this thing out eventually.”

“It’s not beneficial for me to state my preferences,” Cashman added. “I will get all the recommendations and make mine to ownership.”

“He is throwing the ball really well, and sometimes you’ve got to go by what you’re seeing and what you think can possibly happen,” pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. “It’s a good problem to have if guys are pitching good toward the end. Stuff-wise, we know what they can do. Command-wise has been good. I’d rather have that than trying to force somebody into a spot.”

By many accounts, Colon has out-pitched Garcia this spring. But questions linger over the 37 year-old’s ability to endure a full season in the majors.

“You’re looking at stuff, and the question is, does he maintain his stuff?” Rothschild said. “Right now, it can’t be answered, but from what I’ve seen, he can help a major-league team, without a doubt.”

Who’s your pick, Garcia or Colon? Sound off in the comments below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)